In 2015, @emilyepalmer and I decided to build a database of every child we could find record of who'd died of abuse and neglect. Today, we're publishing it. propublica.org/article/the-pr…
@emilyepalmer This database, which you can download for free, cost thousands of dollars. It is the product of more than 300 records requests, more than one lawsuit, and four years of scraping, and nights and dozens of weekends spent entering data by hand. projects.propublica.org/graphics/child…
@emilyepalmer This project is a collaboration between and received funding from @propublica, @BostonGlobe, @columbiajourn, @IRE_NICAR, and Freelance Reporters and Editors.
More than 10 people participated in entering this data into the database, which largely had to be done *by hand.*
More than 10 people participated in entering this data into the database, which largely had to be done *by hand.*
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR Local journalists can not only download all of the database and get every single record, they can contact me and get multiple columns we are not releasing to the public that connect you with additional information about these children and their deaths. CAPTA@propublica.org.
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR We have the records bc of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The only federal law deals directly w abused children who've not been taken into state care.
What else did we find over 4 years? That not a *single state* in the US follow that law. propublica.org/article/the-la…
What else did we find over 4 years? That not a *single state* in the US follow that law. propublica.org/article/the-la…
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR Not only did we send out more than 300 records requests, which we tracked, sued over and screamed about for four years. We sent a 70 question survey about compliance with this law to every state, DC and Puerto Rico that we fact checked.
No one is following the law.
No one is following the law.
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR Frankly guys, I'm in shock over the publication of this story. There were moments - let's call them months - where I didn't think this would ever see the light of day. It is the most work I have ever put into a single thing, and I'm so proud of it.
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR A quick note: If you are a reporter in one of the 9 states there is no data in this database for, I may have partial records.
This is shocking but: Missouri and New York are fulfilling the request, they just aren't finished doing so.
Happy to give you what I have.
This is shocking but: Missouri and New York are fulfilling the request, they just aren't finished doing so.
Happy to give you what I have.
@emilyepalmer @propublica @BostonGlobe @columbiajourn @IRE_NICAR In Washington DC, they gave me records for more than 25 kids, but then claimed only six of them actually died of abuse and neglect. They refused to tell me which of the 25 kids those were. So I have these records, too.
